HVAC Upgrades - Phase I

Capitol Building - State of Illinois

Springfield, Illinois

Henneman Engineering was selected to perform the design and replacement of existing HVAC systems in the State of Illinois Capitol Building. The replacement of the heating ventilation and air conditioning system began in the Capitol\\\'s south wing and rotunda. The multi-year replacement project will make its way to the west side, then to the north and finally, to the east wing of the building. The first phase of the project also included asbestos removal and renovation in the south wing of the Capitol, as well as in the rotunda. Offices in the Capitol will be temporarily relocated as the project makes its way throughout the building. The Capitol, completed in 1888, has six floors of office space, the Senate and House legislative chambers, and a 405-foot-tall rotunda with dome. Some parts of the general HVAC system have not been repaired for 40 years.

This high-profile HVAC project included extensive electrical system upgrades. All office lighting throughout the renovated areas were replaced. Many of the historically significant chandeliers throughout the space were removed, cleaned, rewired and repaired, and then reinstalled. Building electrical services were replaced, and the distribution system was upgraded. Other electrical improvements included the replacement of public address system wiring, an upgrade of the fire alarm system, gutter ice-melt systems, and many other functions throughout the building.

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency was consulting about the historic character of the building to make sure that the work being done there will retain the character of this architecturally sensitive, historically significant building. The restoration project intends to return the Capitol\\\'s appearance as closely as possible to that the building would have had in the late 1800s.

Previously, Henneman Engineering performed a comprehensive evaluation and study of all heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment in the building.

Henneman Engineering won the Illinois American Council of Engineering Companies Honor Award for Engineering Excellence for this project.